Best volcano hikes in Java.
I explored Java for almost a month, trekking from western Jakarta to eastern volcano wonders, transferring myself to Bali for some surfing and chilling. Hiking Java offers an array of wonderful landscapes, from amazing rainforests and volcanic mountains to stunning terraced rice fields. Here are a few best volcano hikes in Java, which are all memorable experiences.
Hiking Ijen Crater - world’s largest acidic volcanic lake.
Ijen Crater is on the top of the list of best volcano hikes in Java – it’s a remarkable adventure for number of reasons:
- It takes you to the edge of an active volcano – the world’s largest acidic volcanic lake, which has a green-blue lagoon color and boils constantly at 300 Celsius degrees.
- The best time to hike Ijen Crater is in the early morning to witness the mesmerizing Blue Fire phenomenon and enjoy the scenic beauty.
- Witness incredible sunrise over the crater rim.
The starting point for the hike is Paltuding, the official base camp of Ijen Crater. It is easily accessible by car or motorbike from various nearby towns, such as Banyuwangi or Bondowoso.
Make sure to arrive at Paltuding well in advance, pay the entrance fee, and hire a local guide if required (we hiked Ijen Crater without a tour guide).
Distance and duration of the hike: The hike from Paltuding to the Ijen Crater rim is approximately 3 kilometers (2 miles) long and takes around 2 hours, depending on your fitness level. The trail is well-marked and relatively moderate – that’s why it is easily doable without a tour guide.
Hiking Mount Ijen (Kawah Ijen) in East Java, Indonesia.
Hiking Mount Ijen in East Java in Indonesia is a truly magic experience! Trekking through Java island was one of
Sulfur mining at Ijen Crater.
On the way to the bottom of the crater, you’ll see lots of miners carrying an extreme amount of yellow sulfur stones. The miners spend their entire lives working in extremely harsh conditions to support their families. It is very common to tip them with small money, they are very friendly and eager to share how they risk their life every day trying to get the sulfur from an active volcano.
Additionally, be prepared that the sulfur smoke is extremely aggressive and you may have difficulties breathing. We did not have gas masks, only scarves, and it was extremely tough getting to the bottom of the smoking lake, as we were constantly coughing.
Hiking Bromo Volcano in East Java.
Bromo volcano is the only active crater in the Tengger caldera, containing seven eruptive centers. It is one of the most adventurous tours and volcano hikes in Java.
The starting point for the hike is Cemoro Lawang Village, which serves as the gateway to Mount Bromo. You can reach Cemoro Lawang by car or motorbike from nearby towns, such as Probolinggo. It’s advisable to arrive at the basecamp the night before to ensure an early start.
Hiking Mount Bromo without a tour guide – an active volcano in East Java.
Hiking Mount Bromo was one of the most magnificent adventures I’ve done, which I will never forget! Volcano Gunung Bromo, standing at 2329
The sunrise view from Bromo is awe-inspiring, so it’s recommended to start the hike early in the morning, typically around 3:30 a.m. You’ll reach the viewpoint before sunrise and witness the breathtaking colors that paint the sky.
Hiking route – from Cemoro Lawang, you’ll join a line of jeeps or take a walk to the Bromo viewpoint via the sand desert. The journey takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the transportation mode.
Make sure you check the volcanic activity before you go – during our stay, the ash was covering the whole village, it was almost impossible to sleep. Additionally, we had to hike to Bromo Volcano in these conditions, choking and coughing all the way.
Hiking Mount Semeru - the highest peak in Java.
Mount Semeru is the highest peak in Java and part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. Mount Semeru is a challenging yet rewarding adventure, and it’s one of the best volcano hikes in Java. It’s a multi-day trek that takes you through dense forests, alpine meadows, and volcanic ash slopes, with the highlight being the summit, known as Mahameru.
Along the way, you’ll encounter stunning scenery and may even witness smoke spewing from Semeru’s active crater. Trekking to the summit requires good physical fitness and typically takes multiple days.
Witness the sunrise from Mount Penanjakan.
Hiking Mount Penanjakan is highly adventurous. While most people would come there on jeep tours, you can take a night hike to witness the amazing Penanjakan sunrise, showcasing the breathtaking beauty of Mount Bromo and the surrounding volcano landscapes! Me and my friend Nati hiked Mount Penanjakan without a tour guide at night. For us, it was one of the best volcano hikes in Java!
The hike begins in Cemoro Lawang village. It is best to start the hike early morning, around 3:30 a.m., to secure a good spot at the top for the perfect sunrise view.
Once we reached the top, there were already a few hundred people gathering at the viewing point. 😉
Magnificent Mount Penanjakan sunrise hike in East Java, Indonesia.
Mount Penanjakan sunrise hike experience. Witnessing the sunrise from Penanjakan is a truly captivating experience! Despite number of available organized
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